• scoutwithprosthesis1This young Scout was born without a left hand.  When he took an interest in shooting, which is very popular in the Scout movement, Hampshire Scouts helped his local club to find a solution. 
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  • MattSkelhon1Matt Skelhon shot to fame when he grabbed gold at the Bejiing Paralympic Games and proved it was no fluke by claiming silver and bronze at London 2012.

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  • vicmorris1Vic Morris lives in south Wales and is paralysed from the neck down as the result of an accident.  With the aid of an 'equaliser' device invented by his coach, John Kelman, Vic shoots pistol and rifle. 
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  • Di CoatesDeanna (Di) Coates lives in Hampshire, shoots air rifle from a wheelchair, and is one of our most successful disabled international athletes. 
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  • michaelwhapples1Michael Whapples from Leicestershire is blind and shoots air rifle.  In 2011 he was the first British shooter ever to compete at the Open European Shooting Championships for the Vision Impaired, held at Nitra, Slovakia. 

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  • peterbreheny1Peter Breheny from Derbyshire shoots benchrest rifle.  He has Kennedy's Disease, a progressive wasting condition that has weakened his limbs. 
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  • stewartnangle1Stewart Nangle, a Lancastrian, is pictured shooting .22 pistol.  What the photograph does not show is that at the time one of his legs was fitted with a metal frame that was bolted into the bones. 
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Non-shooters Shoot

Blair Atholl SBRC Non-shooters Shoot 2004

Extract from The Rifleman, Winter 2004/05 issue

About 20 years ago The Rifleman carried a report of a "Non-shooters Shoot".  It sounded interesting and we organized one as a "come and sample what we do" exercise.  Enquiries several months later suggested we should do it again, so it became a popular local event that has taken place annually ever since.  

Initially it just covered its cost, until some 16 years ago a modest profit was planned with any surplus going to some worthy local cause.  For example, donations have gone to the Youth Club, the Old Folks' Christmas Party, a doctor's surgery equipment, a church building appeal, and many others.  

Several years ago, a local young man was very badly injured in an accident.  He was in hospital 60 miles away for a long time, and a fund was set up to help Colin and his family.  That year our money went to the "Colin Farron Fund".

Colin is making slow progress, and this year he decided he would like to shoot in the Non-shooters Shoot and, as a "thank you", raise some extra money for the rifle club through sponsorship.  Much of his right side is paralysed, but his left eye works and he has partial use of his left arm.  Nevertheless, he shot, and in the process raised the magnificent sum of £760 for the club's Improvement Fund.  

Helped by medical skill and a supportive family, Colin's determination provides an outstanding example of what can be done when one really wants to do it.  

The Ultimate Accolade?

Matt Skelhon minifigure shooter

A minifigure target shooter, complete with (very tall!)  target, was issued by Playmobil before London 2012.  

At the time, we suggested that there ought to be a Paralympic version, and eventually somebody got round to producing one in 2013.  As you can see, it is a tribute to Matt Skelhon, in his Beijing 2008 mohican persona.  What Matt thinks of it isn't on record.  

Playmobil minifigure target shooter

 

Disabled shooting is not new!

Target shooting is righly proud of its credentials as a very inclusive and integrated sport.  It is interesting to find that this state of affairs goes back a very long way!  Here are some historic gems gleaned from national governing body archives.

September 1906 - The Rifleman

Rifleman Sept 1906 W

One must set aside modern ideas on terminology, and remember that 'political correctness' had not been invented when this article was published.  So far it is the earliest printed report of disabled shooting that we have found.

Read more: Disabled shooting is not new!

GSCEs in Target Shooting

artwork - pistol w

At last, here is something that's bang on target to encourage juniors in target shooting! 

Air Pistol shooting has been accepted by the OCR Examination Board as a topic for students taking GCSE in Physical Education.  This is the result of a one-man crusade by a pupil at Ardingly College, who is to be congratulated on putting his case so successfully.  More information on the Shooting UK website.

This follows on from the announcement in 2008 that Clay Target was accepted by Edexcel as one of the list of sports that PE students could do for their GCSE.  Information about this was published by Shooting Times.

This should be a real boon to disabled youngsters with an interest in sport, as Air Pistol is exceptionally accessible to those with disabilities, and being able to pursue a mainstream integrated sport as part of their academic work is a great opportunity. 

A Fiver for Shooting

The Royal Mint's £5 coin for the Paralympics features a target!

The coin was designed by Pippa Sanderson, a graduate of Hereford College of Arts.  The target apparently represents 'accuracy'; the other sections of the design are a wheel for 'manoeuvrability', a stopwatch signifying 'speed', and Big Ben for London. 

Hot News!

DSP Videos

Videos on disabled target shooting now on Vimeo and YouTube. You are invited to contribute your videos.

Please Do Our Surveys!

survey Information about people and facilities is vital to our work (and funding). YOU can help by completing our People and Clubs/Grounds Surveys.

£250,000 for Clubs!

Chequebook and pen

Read about the huge increase in Sport England investment in grass-roots target shooting. 

International Development

Image of Earth superimposed on a wheelchair wheel

Read about how we are hoping to expand the range of international competitions open to disabled shooters, and let us know if you can help.  

Helpful Stuff

Vision for Shooters

For most shooters, being able to see well enough to aim accurately is the key to our sport. Our Vision Section has lots of information to help all shooters who have vision problems, great or small.

Funding Guidance & Information

Union Jack moneybox

Need information on funding for any aspect of disabled target shooting?  Check out the extensive Funding section on this site. 

Advice for Clubs

EFDS Inclusion Hub is a free on-line resource created by the English Federation of Disability Sport for clubs that wish to become more disabled-friendly and include more disabled people in their activities.
More information

Disability Awareness

For those encountering people who have various types of disabilities, we offer a round-up of some on-line advice and videos that may help to put everyone at their ease.